23-Year-Old Driver Killed After Car Race; His Identity Surfaces

(Updated at 2:34 p.m.): Joyce Kato, an investigator for Los Angeles Coroner's Office, tells Santa Monica Patch that the man who was killed in the crash was Anupam Sanyal.

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(Updated at 11:10 a.m.): The driver who died in the fatal crash was a 23-year-old resident of Santa Monica, SMPD spokesman Sgt. Jay Trisler told Santa Monica Patch.

The crash did occur following a car race, according to the SMPD's preliminary investigation. The driver, whose name has not been released, struck the other vehicle he was racing, then lost control of his car and hit the palm tree.

The other vehicle that was involved in the incident was subsequently located by police officers. They found it unoccupied.

Police are asking the public for information regarding the incident, as the investigation is still ongoing. The SMPD is asking those who have information to contact Det. Chris Dawson at 310.458.8954, Sgt. Jeff Wiles or 310.458.8895; those who wish to remain anonymous can also call 1-800-78-CRIME or use WeTip.com to submit the information. A reward of up to $1,000 may be offered, if the information leads to an arrest and conviction.

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(Updated at 9:10 a.m.): SMPD Sgt. Marty Fine told Santa Monica Patch the crash was a single-car collision, and that the car struck a palm tree. He said the driver, the lone occupant of the vehicle, was pronounced dead at the scene.

The tree is in front of Poquito Más, a few hundred feet east of the intersection of Wilshire Blvd. and 20th St., on the north side of the street.

At 8:45 a.m., two police cruisers were still attending to the crime scene. Shards of glass were strewn across the sidewalk, a portion of which was taped off.

Sgt. Fine could not confirm that a car race took place, and said the incident is still being investigated.

Further west on Wilshire Blvd., at the intersection of 10th St., a fatal traffic accident occurred on Dec. 23 after a Santa Monica resident, who was using the crosswalk, was struck by a car. It was the city's first fatal traffic accident in more than a year.

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A driver died in a car crash near 20th St. and Wilshire Blvd. on Saturday morning at around 3:15 a.m., an officer with the Santa Monica Police Department has told Santa Monica Patch.

The man was allegedly racing another driver, according to City News Service, although the officer would not confirm. He allegedly lost control of his car, which then struck a palm tree.

The other driver who was involved in the alleged race fled after the accident, City News Service reported.